Dental Tourism

Risks of Dental Tourism

Dental care and oral hygiene are essential behaviors for maintain one's general well being. Unfortunately, because of the high cost associated with dental treatments and regular dental visits, record numbers of Americans are trying to find alternative ways to fit dental health expenses into budget. While some are opting to skip dental office visits altogether, others are traveling to exotic locals such as Mexico, Romania and India to get affordable dental care. Those who favor the latter may be putting their lives in jeopardy as there are risks associated with dental tourism.

As a whole, medical tourism is a booming business that approximately
two million people worldwide take advantage of on an annual basis.
Dental tourism, or the practice of taking a vacation in order to receive
dental care, is the latest addition to the industry as the practice
can shave thousands of dollars off of dental expenses. In the United
States a
dental implant complete with a dental crown
can cost $2990 to $5,000 per tooth, yet the identical procedure would
cost a scant $600 in India. In order to reap those rewards, there are a
myriad of compromises that must be made.

About Dental Tourism

Medical tourism has been popular with the international set for decades and dental care
is the latest type of health vacation growing the ranks. According to a
European study, annually 260,000 people travel to get professional
dental care. While there are no American statistics on the subject as of
yet, dental industry insiders believesthat the industry is growing by
approximately 20 percent annually and suggest that the typical dental
vacation patient is a middle-class American with dental insurance.

In response to the growing trend, the National Institute for Health
Research has funded a study on the industry to be conducted by the
University of York. The analysis will focus on what prompts people to
travel for both medical and
dental care.
A team of dental clinicians, health economists and social scientist
will study four facets of medical and dental tourism. Those categories
are:

The impact on the economy.

The decision-making process surrounding medical tourism.

The risks and quality of traveling abroad for medical care.

The future developmentally potential of the medical tourism industry.

Risks of Dental Tourism

Planning a dental vacation will require both an excess of time and money. On paper, traveling for dental care
may look like a bargain. However, there are factors that need to be
considered prior to booking a flight and an appointment at an
international
dental office.

Financially, traveling abroad to visit a dentist can cost as much or even exceed the American expenses associated with dental problems courtesy of a dentistsâ€™ error will have little chance winning a malpractice law suit.

How To Minimize Dental Care Risks

The relationship between dentist and patient is intimate and should
involve a thorough investigation of facts. Individuals looking for a way
to minimize any risks, associated with dental care should plan on
staying stateside for whatever treatment they need. All potential
dentists shoul

be checked with the dental board and referred from existing patients.
1800dentist does a thorough review of its dentists. article excerpt
from 1800dentist.